Posts for tag: dental implants

‘Tis the season to consider the best option for treating your tooth loss.

Remember the song, “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth?" Well, if you are an adult who is dealing with tooth loss this holiday season, you may understand this sentiment quite literally. If this is a problem you are facing, why not give yourself the gift of a brand new smile? Our Lansing, MI dentist, Dr. Scott Stone, can help you get a new smile for the New Year with help from dental implants.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a small metal post or screw that takes the place of your missing tooth roots. The treatment requires our Lansing, MI, general dentist to position the restoration into the jawbone so that the two will fuse together to become one over the course of several months.

Who is a good candidate for dental implants?

There are many factors involved in determining whether or not your smile is right for dental implants. Some things to consider include:

Your health: This includes both your oral and overall health. We will want to make sure that not only is your mouth healthy enough to support and nurture your implant but also that you are healthy enough to undergo surgery. If you have any chronic health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure it’s important that these problems are being properly managed before getting dental implants.

Patience: Getting implants takes time. In fact, it can take up to one year or longer to get your new tooth. Of course, this restoration could just end up lasting the rest of your life, so all that waiting and patience will certainly pay off in the end.

Your budget: While implants can save you money in the long run, we also understand that the upfront cost can be a lot. We will work with our patients to make sure that they are always able to afford the dental care they deserve; however, if you have a more modest budget than there are other options out there that may be better suited to your needs. Let’s talk about it!

Getting surgery: It’s important for patients to understand that in order to get dental implants they will need to undergo surgery. The surgery is performed right here in our office under local anesthesia, so you will be able to go home right after. Of course, even though surgery is minor, we also understand that some patients don’t want to undergo surgery to get a new tooth. This is something to consider before deciding whether implants are right for you.

Are you interested in finding out more about dental implants? Want to find out if this is the best way to replace your missing teeth? If you said “yes” then the next step is to call Smiles by Stone in Lansing, MI, at (517) 482-5546 to schedule a consultation with us. Let us put a smile back on your face!

If your missing teeth are taking a toll on your self-esteem and causing you to have trouble with simple everyday tasks like chewing or eating, it is time to consult with your dentist about teeth replacement options. However, weighing those options can seem like a tedious task. Luckily, you can discover the benefits of dental implants and how they can improve your smile with help from your Lansing, MI, dentist. Find out more about dental implants and what they can do for you with Dr. Scott Stone at Smile By Stone.

The History of Dental Implants
Dental implants have been traced back as far as 2500 BC to the ancient Egyptians. Though they were not as advanced as they are today, the Egyptians used the same general ideas to replace their missing teeth using gold ligature wire. In the 1700s, a dentist began experimenting with transplanting teeth from one living thing to another and observed that a human tooth became firmly embedded into the comb of a rooster after implantation. Modern-day dental implants use the same implantation and osseointegration ideas. Modern dental implants as we know them today began taking shape in the 1980s.

How can dental implants help my smile?
Dental implants replace a missing tooth and its root, allowing you to permanently and efficiently fill the gap in your smile. Unlike dentures or bridges, there is no need for a dental implant to come out of your mouth and they remain permanently in place for a lifetime. Dental implants function like natural teeth, allowing you to clean them using the same techniques. Brushing twice a day and flossing at least once coupled with regular trips twice a year to your dentist for examinations and cleanings is enough to keep your natural teeth and implants clean and free from decay-causing plaque and tartar.

Dental Implants in Lansing, MI
With help from your dentist, you can repair your smile and discover the benefits of dental implants. For more information on dental implants and how they can benefit you, please contact Dr. Stone at Smile By Stone in Lansing, MI. Call (517) 482-5546 to schedule your appointment today!

Dentures used to be the default tooth replacement option for patients, despite their inadequacies, They can be uncomfortable to wear, slip sometimes when you're eating, and need to be adjusted every few years or so. Dental implants are now the first choice for many cases of tooth loss. This effective and long-term tooth replacement treatment is available at Smile By Stone Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Lansing, MI.

When Your Smile Is Incomplete...
A missing tooth can be difficult to tolerate, especially when you are a very active and social person. You can’t eat all of your favorite foods because it’s more difficult to chew them. Pronouncing certain phrases and words is also a challenge. Also, the longer you allow a gap to remain in your smile, the higher the chance that other teeth will start to move around. For these reasons and more, completing your smile after tooth loss should be a top priority.

The Best Way to Fill the Gaps
A denture device can only fill a smile gap superficially (above the gumline). When you have a dental implant, it's like having a whole new tooth in your mouth. A titanium device is surgically inserted into the gumline so that it can fuse with the bone tissue in your jaw. After the healing process is complete (usually a few months), your Lansing, MI dentist will attach a permanent crown to the implant. This procedure is now the preferred way of filling in spaces due to missing teeth.

Dental Implant Care
Successfully caring for a dental implant is just like caring for your natural teeth. Do whatever possible to prevent recurring tooth loss. Here are a few tips:

- Check your gum line frequently for signs of gum disease, which is another threat to the stability of your dental implant. Watch for pockets around the teeth and bleeding when you brush.
- Floss frequently— at least once before bed.
- Wear a mouth guard if you like to play contact sports, and a night guard if you tend to grind your teeth while sleeping.

Complete Your Smile
If you have a missing tooth that needs to be replaced, complete the puzzle with by getting a dental implant at Smile by Stone in Lansing, MI. Contact Dr. Scott Stone at 517-482-5546 to set an appointment to discuss whether you are an ideal patient for this tooth replacement procedure.

There are many benefits to getting dental implants. They can give you a full smile by replacing missing teeth. They can also restore normal tooth functioning and are easy to care for. Plus, when cared for properly with daily brushing and flossing and regular dental visits, dental implants can last throughout your life. Dental implants can be conveniently installed by your dentist. Installation usually takes two visits to complete. At Smiles by Stone, Dr. Scott Stone is your experienced Lansing, MI, dentist for dental implants.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants consist of three separate components that replace missing or decayed teeth and their roots. The three parts of a dental implant include the metal implant, an abutment and a dental crown. The metal implant is made from durable and hypoallergenic titanium and will function as the tooth root. The dental crown is typically made from porcelain and becomes the replacement tooth. The abutment connects the implant and crown. Once your Lansing dentist has completed installation of the dental implant, only the crown will be visible.

Benefits of Dental Implants

At first glance, dental implants might seem like just another option for replacing missing or decayed teeth. However, there are many other benefits associated with dental implants. The benefits of dental implants include:

Replacing missing teeth

Restoring normal tooth functioning

Alleviating potential strain on surrounding teeth

Permanent installation with no risk of coming loose

Durable with the potential to last a lifetime

They look like natural teeth

They’re easy to care for

Once installed, dental implants function like any other tooth and can be used to bite down and chew normally. This takes the strain off of surrounding teeth that previously had to compensate for the missing or decayed teeth the dental implants replaced. With a full set of teeth to equally perform the work of biting and chewing when eating, there is no longer any additional wear and tear on some of the teeth. By restoring normal tooth functioning, dental implants help protect the surrounding teeth.

It is amazing to discover all the benefits of dental implants. They can do more than just restore your smile. They also look like your natural teeth and you take care of them the same way. Daily brushing and flossing combined with regular dental visits will keep your dental implants strong and healthy so that they last a lifetime. To find out if you are a candidate for dental implants, contact Smiles by Stone at (517) 482-5546 for an appointment with Dr. Stone, your Lansing, MI, dentist.